Daylight Saving Time Legislation in 2025: A Look at State and Federal Efforts
The U.S. experienced the beginning and end of daylight saving time in 2025 despite legislative efforts to make it permanent. There are currently four bills in Congress related to daylight saving time, including the Sunshine Protection Act and two House bills giving states the option to observe year-round daylight saving time. The Senate attempted to fast-track the Sunshine Protection Act but faced opposition, with concerns raised about the potential impact on winter mornings and the health benefits of permanent standard time.
While some states have passed legislation advocating for year-round daylight saving time, health experts recommend locking the clocks to a different permanent time. Maine and Texas passed bills in 2025 to make daylight saving time permanent, pending federal approval, joining 17 other states that have similar legislation. Efforts to lock the clocks were not as successful in other states, but some have already prefiled daylight saving time-related bills for the upcoming session.
It remains uncertain whether Congress will pass any of the introduced bills or if state-level laws will be enacted. Without quick action, daylight saving time will resume on March 8, the earliest possible date to "spring forward."